Macau Heritage Travel Guide
Macau's Heritage is founded on the "Historic Centre of Macao", the product of over 400 years of cultural exchange between the West and China. Mainly architectural and predominantly European, the heritage sites provides a link to the West while being complety asian.
Macau heritage sites apparently contains the oldest and compact gathering of European architecture in the whole of China.
Often called teh "Gateway between East and West" Macau was settled by Portuguese navigators in the mid-16th century. The "Historic Centre of Macao" coincides with the heart of the western settlement area, also known as the "Christian City" in history.
For almost three centuries, until the colonisation of Hong Kong in 1842, Macao's strategic location at the mouth of the Pearl River meant that it retained a unique position in the South China Sea, serving as the hub in a complex network of maritime trade that brought tremendous wealth and a constant flow of people into the enclave.
People of different nationalities came, bringing their own cultural traditions and professions, permeating the life of the city as can been seen in both intangible and tangible influences.
This is evident in the introduction of foreign building typologies such as western-style fortresses and architecture. Macao also inherited various cultural experiences and regional influences, further developing these in conjunction with the local Chinese culture and blending them to produce the rich texture seen in the city's exceptional heritage.
Exposure to diverse cultures in this lasting encounter between the eastern and western worlds has therefore benefited Macao in assimilating a rich array of cultural heritage. (source: Macau Patrimonio Mundial)
A-Ma Chinese Temple - essential Macau Travel site
An essential part of any Heritage Macau Travel is the A Ma Temple. Even though there are no exact records, it is believed that the construction of A-Ma Temple began in the 15th century.
This is the oldest of the three principal old temples of Macao. It already existed before the city of Macao came into being.
May says that the name “Macao” was derived from the Chinese “A-Ma-Gau” meaning “Bay of A-Ma”, referring to A-Ma Temple.
Moorish Barracks
Located close to the Inner Harbour, the Moorish Barracks were originally named “Quartel dos Mouros” in Portuguese.
In 1871, an Italian architect named Cassuto designed the Moorish-style building to accommodate the Indian policemen.
Mandarin’s House
The Mandarin’s House was built in around 1881. This is the former residence owned by eminent modern Chinese thinker Zheng Guanying and his father Zheng Wenrui. Zheng Guanying himself was a member of the literati who published several books that are still considered classics today.
St Lawrence Church
Rua de São Lourenço
Built in around 1569, St. Lawrence’s Church was one of the three oldest churches in Macao. Given its location near the southern coastline of Macau, families of Portuguese sailors used to stand on the church steps to pray and wait for their return, giving rise to its Chinese name: Feng Shun Tang (“Church of Smooth-sailing Wind”).
St Joseph Seminary and Church
St. Joseph's Seminary was established by the jesuits in 1728. The Seminary made a significant contribution to training Priests to work in missions throughout Asia, particularly in China. Essential Heritage Macau travel site for those interested in Christianity and history.
Dom Pedro V Theatre
Hilltop Macau tour will bring you to Dom Pedro V Theatre dated 1860. In 1873, the main façade of the building was renovated adopting a more neo-classical touch, including pilasters and a pediment on the main façade. The theatre was left unused for almost twenty years because of termite problems but resumed operations after extensive restoration work carried out in 1993.
Sir Robert Ho Tung Library
Santo Agostinho Square
Constructed before 1894, this building originally belonged to D. Carolina Cunha. It was later bought by Sir Robert Ho Tung in 1918 to be his villa. Interesting Heritage Macau site in view of the Governor Ho.
St Augustine Church
Santo Agostinho Square
A group of Spanish Augustinian priests constructed a seminary from wood and taipa in 1586. The seminary was moved to Santo Agostinho Square in 1591 and St. Augustine’s Church was erected at that time.
Leal Senado Building
The center of Macau tour: The Leal Senado Building (Loyal Senate Building). Erected in 1784, it faces the Leal Senado Square (Largo do Leal Senado). The architecture style in the Leal Senado building is neo-classical. Central Macau Tour.
Sam Kai Vui Kun Temple
Rua Sul do Mercado de São Domingos
The temple was originally a guild house of the Sam Kai (Three Streets) Association, covering Rua dos Mercadores, Rua dos Ervanários and Rua das Estalagens. Established between 1723 and 1795, it is the earliest local guild in Macao. Central Macau Tour.
Holy House of Mercy
In 1569, the first Bishop of Macao, Dom Belchior Carneiro, founded the Holy House of Mercy. Since its earliest days, the Holy House of Mercy has devoted its work to the local community, providing charitable assistance in the spirit of Christian fraternity. Central Macau Tour.
Cathedral
Cathedral Square
Another hill top Macau tour will reveal the cathedral or S of the Macau Catholic Church. Established around 1622 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Cathedral was always visited by every new Governor who came to place his sceptre, the symbol of authority, next to the statue of the Virgin Mary. Central Macau Tour.
Lou Kau Mansion
No. 7, Travessa da Sé
This Macau travel heritage house was built in around 1889 and was one of the residences of the wealthy Lou Lim Iok family. Constructed in grey brick, this two-storey building is a typical Chinese house divided into a main hall with side wings. Central Macau trip.
St Dominic Church
St. Dominic’s Square
Spanish Dominican priests constructed the original St. Dominic’s Church in 1587. The church is also known as the “Church of Our Lady of the Rosary” because it was originally dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. Central Macau Tour.
Ruins
of St Paul Catholic Church
The Ruins of St. Paul's refer to the remains of the old Church of Mater Dei and St. Paul's College. Following what is thought to be the architectural design of Italian Jesuit Carlo Spinola and under the direction of Father Valignano. Essential Heritage Macau travel site.
Na Tcha Temple
Na Tcha Temple built in 1888 stands adjacent to the Ruins of St.Paul's, close to the remaining Section of the Old City walls. The small Na Tcha Temple looks humble, but retains its distinctive dignity. Compared with the adjacent structures, Na Tcha Temple resembles a miniature architectural scale model. Central Macau Tour.
Old City Walls
From the map of Macao of 1632, it is possible to observe that the city was already well protected in the north, east and south, with strategic military constructions. The Section of the old City Walls was part of these defence structures. Central Macau Tour.
Mount Fortress
The construction of Mount Fortress was initiated by the Jesuits in 1617 and completed in 1626. Mount Fortress was once a principal military facility and was one of the city’s strongest defence points. The top platform of Mount Fortress has a landscaped garden offering a commanding view of the cityscape. Central Macau Tour.
St Anthony Church
Santo António Square
St. Anthony’s Church was first built with bamboo in around 1560 and is one of the three oldest churches in Macao. For the Catholics, St. Anthony is considered the patron saint of marriages and formerly members of the Portuguese community would carry out their wedding ceremonies there, giving rise to the Chinese name of “Fa Vong Tong” (Church of Flowers). Northern Macau Tour.
Casa Garden
Beside Camões Park
First built in 1770, the Casa Garden was originally the villa of the wealthy merchant Manuel Pereira. At a later period it was rented out to the Macao Branch of the English East India Company as a residence for commercial directors, taipans and high-ranking British officers stationed in China. Northern Macau Tour.
Guia Fortress
The fortress was equipped with sentry posts, ammunition depots and watchtowers. Inside the fortress lie Guia Chapel and Guia Lighthouse. The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of the Snow. Guia Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the coast of China. South West Heritage Macau travel tour.
Text and Photos adapted from MGTO and ICM
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